PRIVACY POLICY
Your privacy is very important to us.
The HLS follows strict privacy and data protection measures to ensure that your personal information is kept safe, confidential, and secure at all times.
We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring it is used only for scientific research that aligns with the goals of the Healthpath study and the consent you provide.
Who is conducting this research?
Principal researcher: Martijn Huisman, Amsterdam UMC
Study funded by: ZonMW (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development)
Ethical approval number: [Number]
Study period: [Start date] to [End date]
What is the purpose of this study?
We want to understand how people aged 60-66 experience their path toward retirement, and what helps them stay healthy and continue working until retirement.
What Personal Information Do We Collect?
From the questionnaire:
Your age, gender, and family situation
Information about your work and workplace
Your health and well-being
Your thoughts about retirement
Your income and financial situation
If you provide permission, from Statistics Netherlands (CBS):
Healthcare usage records
Employment history
Household income data
This helps us get a complete picture without making the questionnaire too long
Technical information:
How long it took you to complete the questionnaire
Which device you used (computer, tablet, phone)
What does this mean for you?
Participation is completely voluntary
You can withdraw your consent at any time
Your data will only be used for scientific research purposes
How We Protect Your Privacy?
1. Immediate Protection
Unique code system: As soon as you submit your questionnaire, we assign you a unique study number (like "HP2025-0157")
Name separation: Your name and contact details are stored separately from your answers
Secure storage: All data is stored on secure, encrypted servers at Amsterdam UMC
2. During Analysis
Anonymous analysis: Researchers analyzing the data only see study numbers, never names
No identification possible: Individual participants cannot be identified in any analysis
Secure access: Only authorized research team members can access the data
3. In Publications
Group results only: We only report results for groups of people (e.g., "60% of participants said...")
No individual stories: We never publish information about specific individuals
Statistical summaries: All publications use anonymous statistical summaries
How Long Do We Keep Your Data?
Your survey answers:
10 years after study completion (required by Dutch research standards)
Stored securely at Amsterdam UMC
Your name and contact details:
3 years after study completion (in case you have questions)
Then permanently deleted
After these periods:
All personal data is permanently deleted
Only anonymous statistical summaries may be kept for scientific records
Your Rights Under Dutch Data Protection Law (AVG/GDPR)
You have the right to:
1. Access your data
Request a copy of all personal data we have about you
Understand how your data is being used
2. Correct your data
Ask us to fix any incorrect information
Add missing information if needed
3. Delete your data
Request complete deletion of your personal data
This ends your participation in the study
4. Restrict processing
Ask us to temporarily stop using your data while investigating a concern
Your data stays secure but isn't used for analysis
5. Data portability
Receive your data in a commonly used format
Transfer your data to another organization (if applicable)
6. Object to processing
Object to how we process your data
We'll stop processing the data in case of objections
Future Research - Completely Optional
Follow-up studies:
We plan two follow-up questionnaires:
18 months after your first questionnaire
36 months after your first questionnaire
Your choice:
Completely optional - you can say no and still participate in the current study
Can change your mind - you can withdraw from future contact at any time
Withdrawing Your Consent
You can stop participating at any time by:
Emailing us at: [email address]
Calling us at: [phone number]
Writing to us at: [postal address]
What happens when you withdraw:
Immediately:
No new data collection
Your contact details are removed from future mailings
You won't be contacted for our follow-up studies (unless you specifically requested updates)
For data already collected:
Anonymous data: If your data has already been made anonymous and used in analysis, it cannot be removed (this protects research integrity)
Identifiable data: Any data that can still identify you will be deleted
Publications: Data already in published papers cannot be removed, but no new use of your data will occur
No penalties:
There are no negative consequences for withdrawing
Data Security Measures
Technical protections:
Encryption: All data encrypted during storage and transfer
Access controls: Only authorized researchers can access data
Secure servers: Data stored on Amsterdam UMC's secure systems
Your Questions and Complaints
Questions about the study:
Healthpath Research Team
Email: [study email]
Phone: [study phone]
Address: [study address]
Summary: Your Privacy in Simple Terms
✅ Your information is safe: We use strong security measures
✅ You stay anonymous: Nobody can identify you from the research results
✅ You're in control: You can withdraw at any time
✅ Help available: Contact us with any questions
Remember: Your participation is completely voluntary and all your personal information will be kept strictly confidential.